Lasercad® (Space Measurement)

Retail Standard Method of Measurement

In 2010 BOMA International released its Standard Method of Measurement for retail buildings. At its roots, the BOMA Standard is very similar to that of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Standard which has been used for years by real estate professionals for measuring retail space in shopping centres. Measurements are taken from:

the outside surface of all exterior walls;

the outside surface of all interior walls, doors and windows separating such premises from any portion of the Common Facilities; and

the centre line (determined without regard to any finished treatment on such wall) of all interior walls separating such premises from adjacent rentable premises.

Also, where a portion of any rentable premises is recessed from a demising line
(other than along the store front), the area of such recess is included as part of the Gross Leasable Area of such premises.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.

Q: How are offices treated inside a shopping centre?

A: Our firm has adopted the 2010 BOMA Office Standard for measuring office space in a shopping centre provided that the subject space is located on a non-retail floor/mezzanine or a non-retail part of the shopping centre. Retail space utilised for office purposes should be measured as retail space.

2.

Q: Should retail mezzanines and basements be included in the Gross Leasable Area?

A: Yes, the Standard specifically mentions that these areas should be included in the GLA.

3.

Q: How are kiosks treated by the Standard?

A: Kiosks are rent paying tenant spaces and as such, they are measured by the Standard and counted as Gross Leasable Area. Kiosks are measured to the outer surface of the structure/counter making up their construction without regard for counter over-hangs or space used for customer queues. Moveable kiosk-type units (which are typically on wheels and known as retail merchandising units or RMU’s) are not measured by the Standard.

4.

Q: Are unenclosed areas addressed by the Standard?

A: Areas leased for such things as outdoor garden centres, fenced-in stock yards/compounds, storage lots, outdoor patios or indoor seating areas are considered Ancillary Space. The Standard does not specify how these Ancillary Spaces are to be measured but does state that these areas may be certified, provided that the boundaries of such space are noted within the specific lease or have been agreed between the landlord and tenant.

5.

Q: How is mezzanine space within the retail store addressed by the Standard?

A:
Mezzanine space is measured and included in the Gross Leasable Area of the lower level of that unit. Mezzanines are measured to the exterior face of exterior walls, to the centre line of walls separating such premises from adjacent premises and to the outside face of interior walls separating the mezzanine from common facilities or the lower level of the same tenant space below.